Money pledge starts political sniping between Lampson, Weber

Published 8:00 am, Sunday, August 5, 2012

Photo: Chron, Houston Chronicle

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Nick Lampson announces his candidacy for the 14th congressional district seat in the U.S. Houston of Representatives Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Texas City. Lampson, who held a seat in congress during the 1990s, in the redrawn district that includes Galveston and Jefferson counties. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Nick Lampson announces his candidacy for the 14th congressional district seat in the U.S. Houston of Representatives Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Texas City. Lampson, who held a seat in congress during the 1990s, ... more

Photo: Chron, Houston Chronicle

Image 2 of 2

Rep. Randy Weber, District 29, is photographed at his campaign headquarters on Thursday, March 15, 2012, in League City. Rep. Randy Weber is a candidate in the 2012 Congressional Elections. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Rep. Randy Weber, District 29, is photographed at his campaign headquarters on Thursday, March 15, 2012, in League City. Rep. Randy Weber is a candidate in the 2012 Congressional Elections. ( Mayra Beltran / ... more

Photo: Chron

Money pledge starts political sniping between Lampson, Weber

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

The two candidates for U.S. House District 14 began sparring last week just after a runoff election decided the Republican nominee. This will no doubt be a tough race for both.

The issue is money and the fight is about where it's coming from.

Democratic candidate Nick Lampson offered to sign what he called a "gentleman's agreement" with Republican Randy Weber that neither would use "secret money" in the campaign and that voters would know who is contributing to them.

"The people of Southeast Texas deserve to know who is trying to influence their vote and why," Lampson said. "By keeping their donors secret, certain non-profits and trade associations are running a shadowy operation which has no place in honest, transparent politics. If these interests could be proud of what they are doing then they would do it in the light of day."

Weber answered back, saying he wasn't going to take part in what he called a "political stunt."

According to Weber, Lampson's request is intended to help "raise millions of dollars for left-leaning Super PACs so they can help candidates like Nick Lampson in Congressional District 14 by attacking me. In (Democratic House Minority Leader) Nancy Pelosi's pursuit of the Speaker's gavel, she will ignore this 'Gentleman's Agreement' with a wink at Nick as she tries to secure his vote into her purse."